"We can hardly wait any longer, it will be the mega event of the decade"

In the summer of 2013, Schärding was awarded the contract for a state horticultural show between 2016 and 2025. Now this major event, which will allow the baroque city to blossom from April 25th to October 5th, 2025, is now within reach. Last week, the official groundbreaking ceremony for the major project took place in the Orangery Park, but intensive work has been going on for some time.

Andrea Berghammer has been in office as managing director of the Landesgartenschau Schärding GmbH since summer 2022. “It’s a great feeling that construction work is now starting and that the population can get an idea of it directly on site,” said Berghammer at the official groundbreaking ceremony in Orangery Park. “It is something very special that there is a direct connection between the historic old town on one side and the garden show site with ecological features such as an orchard in the Orangery Park or the meadow landscape near the Inn on the other side,” says the managing director .

“Added value for the entire region”

There will be an even more diverse cultural program next year as part of the garden show. “The State Horticultural Show brings great added value for the entire region. Schärding can and will show what it has to offer,” says Agriculture Regional Councilor Michaela Langer-Weninger. “At the eighth state horticultural show, nature and the Inn come together harmoniously. It should be a celebration of nature and culture,” says Langer-Weninger.

Countdown counter from April 25th

According to Schärding’s mayor Günter Streicher, there will be a “countdown counter” from April 25th, where every minute will count down until the opening. “We can hardly wait until the opening. For Schärding, the State Garden Show will be the mega event of the decade,” says Streicher.

The major event has positive economic effects. “It takes a whole year to build, and many construction companies receive orders. This is very positive in a not exactly easy time,” says the mayor. When asked to what extent Schärding will benefit from the state horticultural show in the long term, the city boss answers: “One of the state’s requirements is to build sustainably. The Orangery Park will receive a new fountain and the paths will be newly laid out. In the leisure area of the Grüntal, where “There will be 130 additional parking spaces for the city,” says Streicher. Three playgrounds and a calisthenics park will also be built in the coming months.

The 2025 State Garden Show will take place from April 25th to October 5th, starting at 9 a.m. Entrance tickets for adults cost 16.50 euros. Children between six and 15 years: five euros, children up to six years are free. Special group prices are offered for groups of 21 or more. All information at: www.innsgruen.at

The castle park in Schärding is part of the state horticultural show.
Image: (private)

State horticultural show with four colorful areas

In 2025, Schärding will officially present itself as the venue for the state horticultural show in a colorful floral display for 164 days. During this time, the baroque city is divided into four colorful focus areas.

Castle park: The castle park in Schärding, which was previously known as the city park, will be 130 years old next year. This is celebrated accordingly as part of the state horticultural show. The castle park essentially comprises the former castle courtyard, which was converted into a park in 1895. There is also a 26 meter deep fountain in the castle park, which was rediscovered in 2003. Another attraction is the viewing pavilion towards the Inn. The castle itself was expanded into an important state fortress by the Bavarian dukes in the 14th and 15th centuries. The castle was almost completely destroyed by devastating fires in 1724 and 1775.
Inland: Not surprisingly, Schärding presents itself at the State Garden Show with the well-known and popular Innlände. The sub-area consists of two sections. The northern part – from the water gate to the Inn bridge – will probably be outside the garden show area, which requires admission. In any case, the area should form a design unity with the southern section.
Grüntal: The meadows, alluvial forest areas and then park-like areas south of Schärdinger’s old town will form the central part of the exhibition grounds at the State Garden Show.
Orangery Park: The beautiful orangery park, which is owned by the Schärding Kurhaus, will be sustainably designed and used for the 2025 State Garden Show. The existing Orangery restaurant location will also be included.